(ANSA) - Siena, January 26 - A museum exploring the history and uses of Siena's hidden underground waterways is opening in this Tuscan hill town on Wednesday. The Museo dell'Acqua, or Museum of Water, will provide visitors with a detailed overview of the 25-kilometre water network, which developed over the course of centuries. ''The city has a new exhibition space that showcases the history of Siena and its territories, helping bring them to life,'' said Siena Urban Planning Councillor Fabio Minuti.

According to Minuti, the new museum aims to combine practical structural information with side stories about how the network shaped the lives of Siena's residents. ''The engineering genius behind the invention and construction of these waterways is examined in detail. But the exhibition also recounts the history and memories of these places, part of the everyday life of Siena's citizens and tourists. ''In this sense, the museum seeks to make its visitors active participants in the process, providing scientific rigour as well as satisfaction and stimuli for their curiosity and imagination''. Work on the underwater network is thought to have begun in the 11th century. At the time, Siena's hilltop location gave it an excellent defensive advantage but meant it was miles from the nearest river and therefore lacked a ready water supply. Without sufficient water, Siena was unable to expand, so the city authorities started work on the first water canals by digging deep into the ground and tapping hidden streams and underground rivulets. Water from these new aqueducts was funnelled into massive basins and fountains located around the city and outside its walls.

These were covered with roofs to protect them from pollution and the water was used for all of the city's needs, from drinking to watering animals to bathing, fire-fighting, irrigation and industry. The network was almost complete by the end of the 14th century, with around 25 kilometres of tunnels conducting water around the city.

Over the following centuries, efforts focused on maintaining and increasing the water supply to the aqueducts, which remained in full use until a few decades ago, with some still in partial use today. The fountains fed by the network can also still be seen around the city.

The new museum, which cost nearly 1.8 million euros to build, is located at the site of one of the city's most historic fountains, the Fonte di Pescaia. It is not known when the fountain built but according to historical accounts, it was already fully operational and part of the city authority's responsibilities by 1226.

The fountain, whose upper levels are partly concealed by a more recent building, was used to supply the basins and pools that provided the city with its fish.